Sarabjit's sister fought a long, valiant battle

Dalbir Kaur, slain convict Sarabjit Singh’s sister, used to be often seen at the Attari border with a picture of her brother whenever Pakistan repatriated Indian prisoners.

She would send him rakhis and the things her brother liked.

Presidents, Prime Ministers, home ministers and chief ministers are just some of the 150 people — both in India and Pakistan — she has met over the past 23 years to get Sarabjit released from prison in Pakistan.

Today, after hearing the news of Sarabjit’s death, she feels defeated apart from being disconsolate. And the steady stream of people offering her consolation does little to comfort her.

“I tried my level best to fight for my brother’s freedom, but I lost,” she said.

Each time a mercy petition was rejected, Dalbir Kaur’s tears flowed but confidence grew. She became more committed to fighting for him. Not only in India, she was courageous enough to go to Pakistan and speak against the country there.

At every forum, she raised her voice, which exuded hope.

But her indomitable spirit is undiminished. She says this is the time to be courageous for her brother’s widow, Sukhpreet Kaur, and their daughters, Swapandeep and Poonam.

The woman earlier ran a school in Algon Kothi, which is not far from Bhikhiwind, their village in Tarn Taran district.

Now with one aspect of her battle ending, she has stirred up the entire nation.